Gewürztraminer from this neighboring vineyard on the Naramata Bench overlooking Penticton, British Columbia, makes for a pleasing take on the Alsatian style of this cool-climate white grape. Aromas of yellow grapefruit, Gala apple and lime transition to flavors of cantaloupe, honeydew melon and pear. There’s just a touch of residual sugar (0.5%) as the lime juice acidity and … [Read more...] about Township 7 Vineyards and Winery 2013 Loveridge Vineyard Gewürztraminer, Okanagan Valley, $20
British Columbia
JoieFarm 2013 Re-Think Pink Rosé, Okanagan Valley, $21
Pinot Noir from some of the more moderate sites in the Okanagan Valley and Gamay (40%) from historic St. Hubertus Vineyard near Kelowna are farmed specifically to make this rosé, and the results reflect that focus in the hands of Heidi Noble and Michael Dinn, who’ve developed one of the West Coast’s premier programs for aromatic wines on the Naramata Bench. Their pink turns to … [Read more...] about JoieFarm 2013 Re-Think Pink Rosé, Okanagan Valley, $21
Moon Curser Vineyards 2012 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, $25
Kiwi software engineer Chris Tolley launched his winery a decade ago, and from lofty vineyard above Osoyoos, British Columbia, also looks down on Oroville, Wash. He pulls from three nearby vineyards for this Syrah — a mainstream variety for Tolley — and the focus is on purple fruit from beginning to end. Aromas and flavors of boysenberry and blueberry jam are held up by an oak … [Read more...] about Moon Curser Vineyards 2012 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, $25
Township 7 Vineyards & Winery 2013 Rosé, Okanagan Valley, $17
Using grapes not only from the estate vineyard on the Naramata Bench northeast of Penticton but also from famed Sundial Vineyard on the warm Black Sage Bench near the U.S. border, this rosé is a fantastic example of what can be produced in British Columbia. This is a blend of Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Merlot. The four varieties come together in a pink wine that … [Read more...] about Township 7 Vineyards & Winery 2013 Rosé, Okanagan Valley, $17
JoieFarm 2013 Pinot Blanc, Okanagan Valley, $23
Canada’s first female Master of Wine, the charming Barb Philip, has proposed that Pinot Blanc should be the signature grape for the Okanagan Valley. And here’s a stunning example by Heidi Noble and Robert Thielicke, who do right by these 26-year-old vines at St. Hubertus Vineyard on the eastern bank of Okanagan Lake near Kelowna. It opens with fun aromas of Banana Laffy Taffy, … [Read more...] about JoieFarm 2013 Pinot Blanc, Okanagan Valley, $23